Screenwriting Contests Discussion Forum 
Topic: Question Oh Learned Ones?
If registered with WGA can you just change the name of your screenplay without any hassel?
Not copyrighted just WGA.
I've noticed that some of the Pro listings have changed the names of screenplay but the logline is the same.
What say you?
evie
A title can't be copyrighted anyway and cannot be registered. Below is what the WGA says about registering titles
"Titles are not registered with the WGAW Registry, as they are not protected by registration. The title or filename is mainly used to identify material within specific registrant records. The Registry does not make comparisons of titles or record title changes for registered material. Title changes do not require re-registration of material."
Copyright your scripts. WGA is kinda useless -- a $ maker for them and doesn't give you any of the legal protections of a copyright. The delete the scripts after a couple of years.
Ditto on copyrights vs. WGA. And copyright is online now and only $13 more than WGA.
Double check this, but when you copyright/register, it's the material as a whole, the title can be changed just like you can change the main character's name and still be protected.
You can find a direct link to the Copyright Office here:
http://scripttoolbox.com/links.htm
Author: Yvonne Mazzone
Posted: 02/09/10 04:13 PM
